March 2018 Music Recap
In the past month music has continued to be rather ordinary. There has, as always, been highs and lows but this month the highs really haven't done anything especially epic and the indie scene remains all too bland. Despite this, below are my top five songs and albums from this mediocre month:
5
George Ezra - Staying at Tamara's
In 2014 he was the 3rd biggest selling artist, falling behind Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. Lest we forget that artists like Taylor Swift, One Direction, Olly Murs and Coldplay all had major albums that year. For a 21 year old singer songwriter from Hertfordshire that was incredible, especially when you consider that his biggest hit single was "Budapest", a song about being hungover and miles from where he needed to be. If not for his followup hit single "Blame It On Me" (a favourite of mine) he would've been labelled a one hit wonder instantly. 3 years on he released the song "Don't Matter Now", a catchy summery tune with rather excessive horns and an annoying post-chorus, as the lead single from his upcoming second album. It peaked at no.66 on the UK Singles Chart which didn't bode well for his sophomore being as much a success as the massive debut. All this was expected and as 2017 dragged on there was a distinctive lack of a second single for his promised second album.
2018 came rolling round and on the 19th of January "Paradise" was released. A week later and it charted at no.70. 10 weeks later and his second album "Staying at Tamara's" had been released and "Paradise" was at no.2 and George Ezra had dethroned The Greatest Showman soundtrack at no.1 in the UK albums chart. He has now had 10 charting singles in the UK Top 100, 5 from each album.
Unfortunately the gem that is "Saviour" featuring First Aid Kit didn't chart because that song is a
work of art, gliding along with silky country/folk guitars and smooth vocals as well as lovely drums progressing throughout it's definitely the best on the album. It may be a sophomore slump in quality but songs like "Pretty Shining People", "Shotgun", "Hold My Girl", "The Beautiful Dream" and "Saviour" are such magnificent highlights it's hard to discredit Ezra on his second album.
4
Superorganism (Self-Titled)
This has got to get some achievement for being just so weird. Besides being weird it's also completely and excessively creative, even if the sound isn't totally unique. Much of it is familiar and yet there's something so inspiring, so mesmerising about the over the top production.
Superorganism is a collective of 8 people from all over the world and the diversity of songs like "
It's All Good" and "Something For Your M.I.N.D." is incredible. There are obvious some low points such as "Nai's March" which starts really strong but drags on and lacks the gripping substance that other songs possess. "The Prawn Song" is extremely odd but catchy and fun as is the single "Everybody Wants To Be Famous". Where the album really comes into its own is on songs like "Nobody Cares" and "Relax". The band shine on these songs like nothing else in the pop scene right now. Yes, Superorganism are more in the indie vein of pop but still - the mainstream is lacking the punches thrown by this collective.
My personal favourite songs from the album are "It's All Good", "Night Time" and "Reflections On The Screen, the latter of which I'm naming my #4 song of March.
3
Henry Green - Shift
This rather ambient electronic dance album may not be anything new or original but it sounds so pleasing and the vibe is carried so well from song to song. Speaking of song to song, the transitions on this album may rival some Two Steps From Hell works. Although there's only 8 full songs on the album each cut is just so beautiful to listen to, with obvious highlights being the singles.
Despite his generally underground presence and lack of a breakthrough single I will continue coming back to these chilled beats and folk tinged tunes.
There's not much more to say about this album besides the fact that it is really good and really relaxing. The best song here is "Another Light" but songs like "Shift", "Something" and "Diversion" are also exceptional.
2
George Fitzgerald - All That Must Be
He used to make great dance music. Now he makes electronic epics with the best production ice heard all year (thus far). Everything on this album still has dance flavours and flares but goes off the rails in more experimental directions rather than being just another dance record without a soul. From the lead single "Burns"' incredible vocal edits to the grooves of "Roll Back" and the sheer phenomenal-ness of "Siren Calls", the best song on the album.
Other highlights include "Frieda" and "The Echo Forgets".
As an album it surprises you with its exceptional synths and progressive and textured structures. Although there aren't many vocals on the record every time there are it only enhances the song.
This album needs more attention, it's truly a masterfully crafted project that puts George into a place of praise and acknowledgement in my head.
The Voidz - Virtue
Formed by Julian Casablancas of American rock band The Strokes, this album incorporates more alternative and experimental rock elements. There are songs on here that are very distinctively Strokes influenced but most are exceptionally unique and highly enjoyable, albeit a little tense. It all begins with the essential but 'tame' "Leave It In My Dreams" and is then followed by the epic and booming "QYURRYUS" (curious) and then the political and pretentious smash "Pyramid of Bones". Yes this is a messy record but with so many highlights such as the psychedelic "ALieNNatioN" and the intense "Pink Ocean" as well as the musically great "Pointlessness".
To pick a favourite from this album was initially hard but then I came to truly appreciate the Spin-Doctors influenced "All Wordz Are Made Up", a truly great and gripping dip into a more rhythmically adept sound.
5
George Ezra - Staying at Tamara's
In 2014 he was the 3rd biggest selling artist, falling behind Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. Lest we forget that artists like Taylor Swift, One Direction, Olly Murs and Coldplay all had major albums that year. For a 21 year old singer songwriter from Hertfordshire that was incredible, especially when you consider that his biggest hit single was "Budapest", a song about being hungover and miles from where he needed to be. If not for his followup hit single "Blame It On Me" (a favourite of mine) he would've been labelled a one hit wonder instantly. 3 years on he released the song "Don't Matter Now", a catchy summery tune with rather excessive horns and an annoying post-chorus, as the lead single from his upcoming second album. It peaked at no.66 on the UK Singles Chart which didn't bode well for his sophomore being as much a success as the massive debut. All this was expected and as 2017 dragged on there was a distinctive lack of a second single for his promised second album.
2018 came rolling round and on the 19th of January "Paradise" was released. A week later and it charted at no.70. 10 weeks later and his second album "Staying at Tamara's" had been released and "Paradise" was at no.2 and George Ezra had dethroned The Greatest Showman soundtrack at no.1 in the UK albums chart. He has now had 10 charting singles in the UK Top 100, 5 from each album.
Unfortunately the gem that is "Saviour" featuring First Aid Kit didn't chart because that song is a
work of art, gliding along with silky country/folk guitars and smooth vocals as well as lovely drums progressing throughout it's definitely the best on the album. It may be a sophomore slump in quality but songs like "Pretty Shining People", "Shotgun", "Hold My Girl", "The Beautiful Dream" and "Saviour" are such magnificent highlights it's hard to discredit Ezra on his second album.
4
Superorganism (Self-Titled)
This has got to get some achievement for being just so weird. Besides being weird it's also completely and excessively creative, even if the sound isn't totally unique. Much of it is familiar and yet there's something so inspiring, so mesmerising about the over the top production.
Superorganism is a collective of 8 people from all over the world and the diversity of songs like "
It's All Good" and "Something For Your M.I.N.D." is incredible. There are obvious some low points such as "Nai's March" which starts really strong but drags on and lacks the gripping substance that other songs possess. "The Prawn Song" is extremely odd but catchy and fun as is the single "Everybody Wants To Be Famous". Where the album really comes into its own is on songs like "Nobody Cares" and "Relax". The band shine on these songs like nothing else in the pop scene right now. Yes, Superorganism are more in the indie vein of pop but still - the mainstream is lacking the punches thrown by this collective.
My personal favourite songs from the album are "It's All Good", "Night Time" and "Reflections On The Screen, the latter of which I'm naming my #4 song of March.
3
Henry Green - Shift
This rather ambient electronic dance album may not be anything new or original but it sounds so pleasing and the vibe is carried so well from song to song. Speaking of song to song, the transitions on this album may rival some Two Steps From Hell works. Although there's only 8 full songs on the album each cut is just so beautiful to listen to, with obvious highlights being the singles.
Despite his generally underground presence and lack of a breakthrough single I will continue coming back to these chilled beats and folk tinged tunes.
There's not much more to say about this album besides the fact that it is really good and really relaxing. The best song here is "Another Light" but songs like "Shift", "Something" and "Diversion" are also exceptional.
2
George Fitzgerald - All That Must Be
He used to make great dance music. Now he makes electronic epics with the best production ice heard all year (thus far). Everything on this album still has dance flavours and flares but goes off the rails in more experimental directions rather than being just another dance record without a soul. From the lead single "Burns"' incredible vocal edits to the grooves of "Roll Back" and the sheer phenomenal-ness of "Siren Calls", the best song on the album.
Other highlights include "Frieda" and "The Echo Forgets".
As an album it surprises you with its exceptional synths and progressive and textured structures. Although there aren't many vocals on the record every time there are it only enhances the song.
This album needs more attention, it's truly a masterfully crafted project that puts George into a place of praise and acknowledgement in my head.
The Voidz - Virtue
Formed by Julian Casablancas of American rock band The Strokes, this album incorporates more alternative and experimental rock elements. There are songs on here that are very distinctively Strokes influenced but most are exceptionally unique and highly enjoyable, albeit a little tense. It all begins with the essential but 'tame' "Leave It In My Dreams" and is then followed by the epic and booming "QYURRYUS" (curious) and then the political and pretentious smash "Pyramid of Bones". Yes this is a messy record but with so many highlights such as the psychedelic "ALieNNatioN" and the intense "Pink Ocean" as well as the musically great "Pointlessness".
To pick a favourite from this album was initially hard but then I came to truly appreciate the Spin-Doctors influenced "All Wordz Are Made Up", a truly great and gripping dip into a more rhythmically adept sound.
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